HC Deb 14 October 1991 vol 196 c95W
Mr. Dalyell

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on his in-depth review of United Kingdom policy on ex-situ gametic conservation.

Mr. Curry

The Department is currently reviewing United Kingdom policy on ex-situ conservation of plant genetic resources in collaboration with the Scottish Office Agriculture and Fisheries Department. The review is examining the present range of seed and plant collections, their funding arrangements, and the likely scientific and public good requirements for such resources over the next 10 years. Officials are consulting widely with the curators of gene-banks and other ex-situ plant collections and with organisations and companies with a current or potential interest in conserving and exploiting such resources.